More than half a century after bloody battles to win independence from British colonial rule, Cypriots who said they were tortured plan to sue the United Kingdom government, according to an official who represents them – and who said he was among the victims.
Thassos Sophocleous, president of an organization representing former Cypriot fighters, said the British law firm K.J. Conroy & Co. is now gathering information from them to build a case following this month’s landmark ruling from Britain’s High Court, which found that three Kenyans tortured during a rebellion against British colonial rule can seek compensation.
Sophocleous, 79, a former guerrilla fighter, claims he was tortured for 17 straight days after his 1956 arrest, including being flogged and having the soles of his feet and knees clubbed. He said some 60 individuals already have completed questionnaires detailing what had allegedly endured and that the lawyers will select the strongest responses to build the case.
Sophocleous said the claims are not about compensation but to force British authorities admit to torture against guerillas who helped win Cyprus’ independence in 1960. “As in all turning points in history, it’s not the people who are responsible, but some leaders who are in power when these things happened and they bear the responsibility,” he said, the Associated Press reported.
His organization, the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters, was formed by Greek Cypriots seeking to unite the island with Greece, but a compromise deal for independence was struck amid strong opposition from the minority Turkish Cypriots. The country was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.
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